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AN ENCOUNTER AT THE MUSEUMYou are cordially invited to tour the British Museum–where in each room you’ll find a secret romance waiting to be discovered. Four acclaimed authors of Regency historical novels tell the exciting tales of lovers who found their happily ever after amid the art and artifacts. Treasures–and pleasures–await!

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERby Deb Marlowe

Tall, practical girls might not be worth much in a man’s world, but Miss Lisbeth Moreton knows she’s worth more than the squire’s prized heifer.

​To change her fate, she’s run off to a date with destiny at the British Museum. Her would-be swain never shows, but an unexpected encounter with Lord Cotwell and his lonely ward might lead to altogether new prospects . . . and perhaps to love.

EXCERPT“Come in, Miss Moreton, and shut the door, if you please.” Edmund saw the light in the young woman’s face fade a little as she did as he asked. He twitched in frustration. It made him feel like the proverbial spider, inviting in the fly. A monster luring a beautiful young maiden into his dark cave.His body tightened as she moved into the room, making him feel even more . . . primitive. But there was no help for it. She wore full skirts in a rich, smoky blue, and a cunning little matching jacket over a crisp shirt, startlingly white. Again, his interest peaked. The young women he’d been exposed to wore wispy day gowns in light fabrics. They looked fragile—and cold—and projected a fabricated ennui. Miss Moreton looked utterly feminine—the length of those skirts hinted at shockingly long legs and that jacket emphasized the sleek curves of her waist and bosom—yet she also looked comfortable, competent and ready to accomplish . . . whatever she set out to do.The only incongruity was her downcast gaze. It made him forget everything, his concerns for his ward, his frustrations of the morning, in the urge to make her look at him, to make her see that he was more than a hulking beast of a man.“I wanted to check with you, see how you’ve settled in.”“Fine, thank you, my lord.” She breathed deep, then lifted her gaze to meet his directly. “I’d like to thank you for giving me a chance.”“I admit I’m inclined to believe my instincts were right. Aurelia appears happier in the last few days.” His mouth quirked. “I’ve even made a bit of progress with my projects, since I’ve not been called away to fetch her from the museum.” He watched her closely. “Has she asked you to escort her there?”“She has not, although she’s mentioned the place more than once.”“I wasn’t over the shock of finding her and Freddy’s solicitor on my front stoop before she asked me to take her. We’ve been once or twice a week since then.” He grimaced. “And that doesn’t count all the times she slipped away and went on her own.”“Was it a place that she visited often with her parents?”He sighed. “From what I can gather.”“She must feel a connection with them when she’s there. It was kind of you, then, to give her the shadow box, so can feel something similar here at home.”“Freddy Tierney was my closest friend. I’ll do anything I can to see his daughter happy.” He rose and moved to contemplate the closed doors that connected the room to his laboratory. “What she needs is new connections. People and things to anchor her here, to her new life.” He cast a glance over his shoulder at her. “It’s what I was hoping you could provide, should you be right for the position.”He watched her shift in her seat. “Aurelia is a lovely child. I’m growing fonder of her by the hour—but I’m afraid I meant it when I said I could only accept a temporary position.”Edmund turned to face her. “I have to ask, Miss Moreton, just how much of a chance did I take? I know you weren’t sent by the agency.”“They sent word?” she whispered.“No.” He breathed deep. “But I’ve had experience with my share of lies. I know when someone is prevaricating.” I’m pleased to introduce you to my daughter, Lord Cotwell. Or Thank you, sir, but I’ve just injured my ankle and won’t be dancing more this evening. “But Aurelia wanted you.”Her gaze dropped again. “I apologize for my part in the deception.”“I went along with it, because, as I said, I’ll do a great deal to see Aurelia happy. I’ve watched you with her. I don’t believe you to be a danger to the child or to anyone, but I have to ask, are you in danger? Or in trouble with the authorities?“No, sir. Nothing like that.” She lifted her chin. “It’s only that I find myself in need of a new position.”He studied her, sure that there was more to her story than she admitted. Nothing about her hinted at any experience in service. She possessed assurance and grace, spoke and acted like a gentlewoman. “If you will not reconsider staying on, then I regret to inform you that I feel I must find your replacement sooner, rather than later. Constancy and consistency are things that Aurelia needs right now.”“I understand. She’s had a difficult time.”“More than you know. The damned school she was attending was less than sympathetic to her loss. They sent strident letters to Freddy’s man, demanding to know who would be paying for her tuition and upkeep. I don’t think the child had a kind or comforting word from her teachers or any of the students.”Miss Moreton visibly bristled. “How shameful!”“Worse came after.” He paused, getting a stranglehold on the anger that surged every time he thought about what happened. “You see, I am one of Aurelia’s trustees. It’s a responsibility I agreed to soon after her birth. But she is not legally my ward. Another of Freddy’s friends, the man I share trustee duties with, was named guardian in the will.”She stilled. “But then, why . . . ?”He slammed a fist backward, hitting the closed door with a powerful, echoing blow. “Because the damned selfish bastard turned her away, as if she were a stray cat!” God, he’d never been so angry in his life when he’d heard the solicitor’s story. Fury pumped through his blood now, too, but he noticed the pallor growing in Miss Moreton’s face and struggled to contain it. “Forgive me,” he said curtly. “I’ve borne the brunt of that devil’s egocentric manner myself, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the child.”Those intriguing eyes shimmered with sympathetic tears. “No wonder she’s retreated into herself.”“Yes. She doesn’t know whom to trust. I admit, I was hoping it might be you.”She straightened. “If I thought I was the best choice for Aurelia, I would stay.” She cleared her throat. “I hope you will forgive me for saying so, my lord, but all those things you mentioned, the things she needs—trust, interest, affection—those things must come from you.”“From me?” he choked.“From who else?” She cocked her head. “Why should she not expect such things from you, my lord?”“No one else ever has,” he muttered.